In June 2024, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) got a deal to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters.
On Friday, March 28, 2025, India sealed its largest defense deal ever, agreeing to buy 156 home-built Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) called ‘Prachand’—a name that means fierce. These choppers, made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will serve the Indian Army and Air Force, costing Rs 62,000 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Security gave the green light during their meeting today. This big step boosts India’s military power with a helicopter designed and crafted right here at home!
In June 2024, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) got a deal to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters. The Indian Army will get 90 of them, while the Indian Air Force will receive 60. These choppers are being built at HAL’s factory in Tumukru, Karnataka, making it a big win for local manufacturing!
The 156 helicopters will be split between the Indian Army (90) and the Indian Air Force (66) to guard the borders with China and Pakistan. Defence sources shared with ANI that this move will not only boost security but also create jobs and grow India’s aerospace industry!
This helicopter uses many parts made in India, aiming for over 65% local content in this deal. More than 250 homegrown companies, mostly small and medium businesses, will help build it, creating over 8,500 jobs, both direct and indirect, along the way!
LCH Prachand: Ready by 2033
To make sure everything goes smoothly, the helicopters will start being delivered three years after the contract is signed. During this time, HAL will work on adding and testing the Electronic Warfare (EW) system and all the weapons to make sure they’re ready for action.
Production Pace: HAL plans to build 30 helicopters each year, which is a big goal.
Start Date: If the deal is finalized in 2025, deliveries will begin in 2028.
Finish Line:All 156 helicopters will be handed over within five years, so by 2033, the Indian Air Force and Army will have all their LCH Prachand choppers ready to go.
This steady schedule means the forces can train, deploy, and use the helicopters effectively without any rush!
LCH Prachand : High-Flying Battle Beast
Built from scratch and tested for over ten years by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), this multi-role attack helicopter is tailor-made for India’s military. It’s designed to handle both scorching deserts and sky-high regions. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) stands out as the only attack chopper in the world that can land and take off at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet)—perfect for the towering Siachen Glacier. Plus, it’s armed to the teeth, ready to launch air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and take down enemy air defenses with ease!
Light Combat Helicopter: Power and Precision Unleashed
The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), weighing 5.8 tonnes, is a fierce machine built by India’s HAL and France’s Safran, powered by twin Shakti engines. It’s designed for both ground attacks and air battles, with top-notch stealth features, strong armor, and the ability to strike at night. The Defence Ministry calls it a perfect fit for today’s battlefields, thanks to its advanced navigation, close-combat guns, and powerful air-to-air missiles.
This helicopter can zip through the sky at 288 kmph, cover a combat range of 500 km, and climb up to 21,000 feet—making it a great match for tough spots like Siachen. It’s sneaky too, with low radar and heat signatures, plus crash-proof designs for better survival. The pilot and co-pilot (called the Weapon Systems Operator) sit one behind the other in a glass cockpit shielded by armor. Here’s what it packs:
– A 20 mm nose gun that fires 800 rounds a minute and hits targets 2 km away.
– 70 mm rockets on its wings, reaching 4 km directly or 8 km indirectly.
– An electro-optical pod above the gun for day-and-night surveillance and tracking from afar.
– The ‘Dhruvastra’ anti-tank missile and ‘Mistral-2’ air-to-air missile, both striking up to 6.5 km.
With all these features, the LCH is a tough and smart warrior in the sky!
LCH Prachand : Sky Warrior Boosts India’s Might
Adding the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to the Air Force is a game-changer, giving a huge lift to the military’s fighting strength. It’s a powerful tool tailored to meet the needs of both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Army. According to HAL, this helicopter can take on air defense, blast enemy tanks in high-altitude zones, tackle insurgents, and even handle search-and-rescue missions. Plus, it’s loaded with cutting-edge tech to knock out the enemy’s air defenses.
The LCH is fast, nimble, and built for action—offering long-range reach, top performance at high altitudes, and the ability to fight day or night in any weather. It’s ready for tasks like Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), smashing bunkers, battling insurgents in jungles or cities, and backing up ground troops, say Defence Ministry officials.
Right now, the Army Aviation wing doesn’t have its own attack helicopters—it uses a weaponized version of the Advanced Light Helicopter. Meanwhile, the IAF flies Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers (which are being retired), along with Mi-17s, Mi-17V5s, Advanced Light Helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, and Chinook heavy-lift choppers. The LCH steps in as a fresh, fierce addition to this lineup!
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